Amazon Is Changing Whole Foods a Lot, in Ways You'll Actually Like

Inc. and Whole Foods Market Inc. said Thursday they will lower prices on a range of groceries on Monday to mark the close of Amazon's $13.7 billion acquisition of the organic grocer. Soon they will also get deals on Whole Foodspurchases. Items like bananas, avocados, lean ground beef and large brown eggs will carry lower prices.

Whole Foods is about to get a lot cheaper for Amazon Prime customers-as well as everybody else.

Shoppers will find lower prices at Whole Foods stores, including seven in the Twin Cities, starting Monday when Amazon closes on its almost $14 billion acquisition of the grocery chain.

With the marriage of Whole Foods and AmazonPrime, Amazon will be able to increase Prime membership, said Patricia Orsini, an eMarketer analyst who tracks grocery e-commerce.

And it's also probably important to note that Whole Foods and chains like Walmart tend to target different demographics, so customers aren't necessarily going to jump ship.

"It's been our mission for 39 years at Whole Foods Market to bring the highest quality food to our customers", co-founder and CEO John Mackey said.

The company also said Whole Foods' famously steep prices would be lowered across the board for all customers.

Amazon has long shown an interest in the food business - it's even testing a drive-through grocery store in Seattle.

On Tuesday, Whole Foods shareholders voted in favour of Amazon's takeover, while the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a statement saying it would not block the deal after looking into competition concerns.

- Whole Foods' private label items, such as those sold under 365 Everyday Value, Whole Paw, and Whole Catch, will be available on Amazon.com, Prime Pantry, AmazonFresh and Prime Now.

The paid Amazon Prime loyalty program will be integrated into Whole Foods' cash register system and become its rewards program, allowing members to receive special Whole Foods discounts and other in-store benefits.

The lower prices represent the first step in Amazon's efforts to integrate its existing services into Whole Foods Market stores.